The Birmingham Bullring shopping centre has completed a significant retail transformation in 2025, unveiling fourteen new or substantially upgraded stores in time for the crucial Christmas shopping period. This major refresh introduces a dynamic mix of international fashion, flagship sports outlets, and luxury beauty destinations, reshaping the city centre's retail landscape.
Major Brand Debuts and Expansions
Several high-profile brands have chosen the Bullring for their Birmingham debut or for launching expansive new flagship stores. Japanese apparel giant Uniqlo opened its doors on October 16, filling a notable gap in the local streetwear market. American body care favourite Bath and Body Works launched around Halloween, attracting large crowds with its signature fragrances.
In a move for sports fans, FootLocker has created its largest UK store by moving into the former New Look unit. Similarly, Aston Villa FC has established a comprehensive megastore and museum on the old JD Sports site, offering fans merchandise and club history.
Lifestyle, Home, and Beauty Revamp
The centre's offering for home, wellness, and beauty shoppers has been dramatically enhanced. ProCook launched a new kitchenware outlet in October in the ex-Morphe space, targeting home cooks ahead of the festive season. For festive scents, Yankee Candle set up a seasonal pop-up next to the Mindful Living Co, which itself offers luxury wellness gifts like smudge sticks.
The beauty sector received a massive boost with the complete renovation of the Selfridges Beauty Hall, now the largest such destination outside London, featuring exclusive lines like Victoria Beckham Beauty. Space NK also expanded into a prominent unit formerly held by All Saints, adding a fragrance testing play space.
Specialist Shops and Sweet Treats
New specialist retailers have arrived to cater to niche interests. Artist Vault now occupies the old Oasis pop-up space, selling official band merchandise and music collectibles. Jeweller Mays has settled into a permanent spot after previously operating a kiosk, while Miniso expanded with a larger unit near Vans.
Shoppers can also enjoy a sweet pause, as dessert brand Haute Dolci introduced a 'Dolci Mono' kiosk on the lower mall outside Selfridges. Formalwear also returns with Moss Bros re-entering the city centre in the old Yours Clothing unit, bringing quality menswear tailoring back to the Bullring.
This wave of openings represents a confident investment in Birmingham's city centre retail, providing shoppers with a vastly broader range of options just as the festive season gets into full swing.
